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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Aagaya Panthalile

From Ponnoonjal · 1973

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Ponnoonjal1973

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Aagaya pandhalilaeUnder the pandal of the sky,
Ponoonjal aadudhammaA golden swing sways, my dear.
Aagaya pandhalilaeUnder the pandal of the sky,
Ponoonjal aadudhammaA golden swing sways, my dear.
Oorgolam povomaaShall we go on a grand procession?
Ullam angae oodudhammaMy heart runs towards there.
Female
Oorkolam povomaShall we go on a grand procession?
Ullam angae oodudhammaMy heart runs towards there.
Aagaya pandhalilaeUnder the pandal of the sky,
Ponoonjal aadudhammaA golden swing sways, my dear.
Female
Humming…Humming…
Poochoodi pudhupattu naan soodiAdorned with flowers and wearing new silk,
Mana sembhu kaiyendhiHolding the sacred wedding brass pot in hand,
Naam angae povomaShall we go there?
Poochoodi pudhupattu naan soodiAdorned with flowers and wearing new silk,
Mana sembhu kaiyendhiHolding the sacred wedding brass pot in hand,
Naam angae povomaShall we go there?
Female
Meenaalin kungumathaiThe vermilion of Goddess Meenakshi,
Meenaalin kungumathaiThe vermilion of Goddess Meenakshi,
Naanaala vendum ammaI wish to rule over, my dear.
Maanodu neeradaTo bathe alongside the deer,
Manjal kondu selvomaShall we carry turmeric along?
Female
Aagaya pandhalilaeUnder the pandal of the sky,
Ponoonjal aadudhammaA golden swing sways, my dear.
Oorgolam povomaaShall we go on a grand procession?
Ullam angae oodudhammaMy heart runs towards there.
Male
Paal vannamMilky white complexioned,
Pazhathattu pookinnamFruit plate and bowl of flowers,
Mana pennin thaai thandhaGiven by the bride's mother,
Seeraga kaanbomaShall we see them as wedding gifts?
Male
Paal vannamMilky white complexioned,
Pazhathattu pookinnamFruit plate and bowl of flowers,
Mana pennin thaai thandhaGiven by the bride's mother,
Seeraga kaanbomaShall we see them as wedding gifts?
Male
Ooraarin sannidhiyilIn the sacred presence of the townspeople,
Ondraaga vendum ammaWe must unite as one, my dear.
Thaai endrum sei endrumAs mother, as child,
Thandhai endrum aavomaAnd as father, shall we become a family?
Male
Aagaya pandhalilaeUnder the pandal of the sky,
Ponoonjal aadudhammaA golden swing sways, my dear.
Female
KannendrumThe eyes,
Valai konda kai endrumAnd hands wearing bangles,
Ival konda angangalAll the limbs she possesses,
Nee kaanum illangalAre the abodes you see.
Male
Ponmaalai andhiyilaeIn the golden dusk of the evening,
En maalai thedi varumSearching for my garland, it will come.
Amma un pennullamOh dear, your womanly heart,
Naanam solli aadi varumWill dance speaking of shyness.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Aagaya Pandhalilae is a classic romantic duet from the 1973 film Ponnoonjal, depicting the romantic daydreams and marital aspirations of two lovers. Set against the metaphor of the vast sky serving as a grand wedding canopy, the song captures the purity and joy of traditional Tamil wedding rituals. The lovers imagine their wedding procession, the holy turmeric bath, wearing silk garments, and receiving traditional bridal gifts (seer) in front of the village elders. Beyond romantic bliss, Kannadasan's lyrics beautifully touch upon the journey of building a life together and starting a family as husband, wife, and parents.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Aagaya pandhalilae

The sky is metaphorically visualized as a massive marriage pandal ('Aagaya pandhalilae').

Visual Imagery (Kaatchi Bimbam)

Poochoodi pudhupattu naan soodi Mana sembhu kaiyendhi

Evokes traditional Tamil bridal imagery through flowers, silk sarees, and brass pots.

Alliteration & Rhyme (Edhukai)

Poochoodi pudhupattu naan soodi

Repetition of second letter consonants creating a rhythmic flow (Poochoodi / Mana sembhu).

Personification

Amma un pennullam Naanam solli aadi varum

The woman's heart is personified as dancing while communicating her shyness.

Did you know?

Trivia

Ponnoonjal (1973) starred 'Nadigavel' Sivaji Ganesan and Uphasri. Composed by M. S. Vishwanathan with lyrics by Kannadasan, this duet sung by T. M. Soundararajan and P. Susheela remains one of the most popular Tamil wedding songs of the 1970s due to its evocative description of traditional marriage customs.

Keep listening

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